Kwame Onwuachi

Kwame Onwuachi, born on November 11, 1989, is a Nigerian-American chef and restaurateur based in New York City. He gained recognition as a contestant on Top Chef in 2015, during the show's thirteenth season. Onwuachi has been honored as the 'Rising Star Chef of the Year' by Food & Wine magazine, Esquire magazine, and the James Beard Foundation in 2019. Born on Long Island, he spent his childhood in The Bronx and was sent to Nigeria at the age of 10 to live with his grandfather. This experience sparked his passion for African cuisine. Despite facing behavioral issues during his school years, Onwuachi graduated from Bronx Leadership Academy high school and briefly attended the University of Bridgeport.